TRUMBULL COUNTY Pirko didn't pay city tax, officials say

The repairman denies paying bribes and has not been charged with a crime.
By STEPHEN SIFF
and PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A heating and air conditioning repairman who prosecutors say paid bribes to Trumbull County officials has not been paying city income tax, officials say.
Tax administrator Tom Gaffney said city officials began tax paperwork for Dennis Pirko, who has worked as a contractor for the county for more than 20 years, last week after bribery allegations surfaced.
At a disciplinary hearing earlier this month for Trumbull County Maintenance Director Tony Delmont, prosecutors produced two checks totalling $900 from Pirko as evidence that Delmont took bribes.
Delmont, who has pleaded innocent to charges of bribery, money laundering and theft in office, was subsequently fired from his $71,000-a-year county job.
Pirko has denied paying bribes and has not been charged with a crime. He has said the checks were for the purchase of "tangible goods" from Delmont.
Pirko did not return a phone call to comment.
Tax ordinance
Warren's ordinance requires everyone who works in the city to file and pay the 1-percent income tax, Gaffney said.
He said the department routinely investigates companies or individuals whose names crop up in the news. The law allows the city to collect unpaid income tax going back six years, and interest and penaties can be applied, he said.
The amount of tax that may be owed has not been determined.
Since 1997, Pirko's one-man company, Northern Engineering of North Jackson, billed Trumbull County $327,000 for parts and labor.
According to the Ohio Construction Examining Board, Pirko is not licensed to work on heating and air conditioning units. His license expired in 1995, officials said. He is also not registered with Warren. The city requires that people working on heating and air conditioning units in the city be registered.
Most of the county buildings Pirko worked on are located in the city, county records state.
siff@vindy.comsinkovich@vindy.com